The National Interagency Fire Center's latest situation report paints a picture of a wildfire season already running well ahead of historical norms, with 18 uncontained large fires burning across the United States as of May 22, more than 5,000 firefighting personnel committed to active incidents, and a year-to-date acreage total that has already more than doubled the same period in 2025.

Year-to-Date Numbers Tell the Story

As of May 22, 2026, NIFC reports that 29,023 fires have burned more than 2.3 million acres nationwide since January 1. The comparable figures for the same period in 2025 were 26,558 fires and just 1.12 million acres — meaning 2026 has already burned more than double the acreage at this point in the year. The 10-year average through May 22 is approximately 20,055 fires and 1.17 million acres burned, putting 2026 roughly 100 percent above average for acreage.

Where the Fires Are Burning

Active large fires as of the latest NIFC report are distributed across the following states:

  • Florida (4 fires) — Activity continues in the Southeast through early summer.
  • California (4 fires) — Most notably the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Channel Islands National Park, which has burned 18,379 acres and remains one of the largest active incidents in the country. Historic structures were destroyed and NPS personnel were evacuated by helicopter during the fire's peak spread.
  • New Mexico (2 fires) — The Seven Cabins Fire in the Capitan Mountains of Lincoln National Forest has burned approximately 17,116 acres. Evacuations have been in effect in portions of Lincoln County, though containment crews have been making progress.
  • Montana (1 fire)
  • Idaho (1 fire)

Resource Commitment at Preparedness Level 2

NIFC has the national preparedness level set at Level 2, reflecting the increased demands being placed on firefighting resources across multiple regions. More than 5,000 personnel are currently assigned to fire incidents nationwide, including at least one Complex Incident Management Team supporting large-fire response operations. Air tankers, helicopters, and hand crews are being pre-positioned to respond rapidly to new starts in high-risk geographic areas.

One notable factor heading into the coming weeks: while rainfall is forecast for portions of the Northern Plains and Great Lakes, the forecast for most of the western United States remains largely dry. Isolated mixed wet-dry thunderstorms in the Northern Rockies raise the possibility of new lightning-caused starts without sufficient accompanying rainfall to extinguish them.

Pacific Northwest on Deck

While the Pacific Northwest does not yet have a large fire on the national board of the scale seen in California and New Mexico, fire activity has been increasing rapidly in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho over the past two weeks. Early-season fires in the Columbia Gorge, southeastern Oregon, and Owyhee County, Idaho signal that the Northwest's turn at large-fire season may be arriving earlier than usual. National coordination centers are monitoring regional conditions closely and adjusting resource allocation as conditions evolve.

NIFC urges the public to remember that the vast majority of wildfires in the United States are caused by human activity and are entirely preventable. As millions of Americans head outdoors for Memorial Day weekend, fire officials are asking everyone to take simple precautions: avoid parking on dry vegetation, ensure campfires and grills are completely extinguished, and respect all posted fire restrictions.